Head Chef - New Opening - Thesleff Group

Head Chef - New Opening - Thesleff Group

Head Chef

An exceptional new restaurant is preparing to open its doors in Mayfair, promising to redefine luxury dining in London.

We are now seeking a highly experienced and creatively driven Head Chef to take the reins of the kitchen - someone who can combine culinary excellence, calm leadership, and precision execution to create something truly extraordinary.

This is a rare opportunity to be part of a flagship opening from the ground up, with full ownership of kitchen operations, team building, and menu development.

Key Benefits:

• Private Health Insurance
• 10 Days Fully Paid Sick Leave
• 50% Discount When Visiting With Family & Friends
• Excellent Career Development Opportunities
• A People-First, Inclusive Culture
• Bonus Scheme

The Role:

As Head Chef, you will be responsible for the complete culinary vision and operational delivery of the kitchen - from finalising the opening menus to leading a world-class brigade in a fast-paced, high-touch service environment.

You'll work closely with the executive team to define the identity of the kitchen and build a team that delivers with excellence, consistency, and finesse.

Key Responsibilities:

Pre-Opening & Launch

• Finalise menus in collaboration with the senior team, aligning culinary direction with the broader restaurant concept.
• Recruit, train, and develop the entire kitchen brigade.
• Design and implement kitchen systems, procedures, and prep schedules.
• Oversee kitchen layout, equipment commissioning, and supplier relationships.
• Ensure all health & safety, food hygiene, and compliance protocols are in place and up to standard.

Operational Excellence

• Lead day-to-day kitchen operations with precision, discipline, and leadership.
• Maintain exacting standards of quality, plating, timing, and consistency.
• Drive food cost control, stock management, and supplier negotiations.
• Foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation within the team.
• Work cross-functionally with FOH and senior leadership to ensure seamless service flow.

What We're Looking For:

• Proven experience as Head Chef or Executive Sous Chef in a high-end, high-volume fine dining restaurant.
• A strong pre-opening track record, with the ability to launch kitchens from scratch.
• Meticulous attention to detail, discipline, and organisational ability.
• A hands-on leader with a deep commitment to mentoring and developing kitchen teams.
• Strong food safety, compliance, and kitchen management knowledge.
• A creative thinker who can translate vision into refined, elegant dishes.

This is a career-defining opportunity for an ambitious Head Chef to help launch what will become one of London's most prominent new dining destinations.

If you're passionate about excellence, inspired by the art of fine cooking, and ready to build something enduring from the ground up - we want to speak with you.

Thesleff Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion within the workplace. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or other legally protected status.